Universal respiratory equipment cap

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a universal respiratory equipment cap which can be used to effectively block a number of different medical devices used in the respiratory care units of hospitals, EMT vehicles and the like. The cap has a small end and a large end, each with “blocks” or “plugs” of different diameters. A middle section has a flange which is tapered, thereby allowing for the blocking of additional diameters of tubes and devices. The flange creates two cavities into which anti-bacterial pads can be inserted to further enhance the effectiveness of the device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional No. 62/421,993,filed 14 Nov. 2016, the contents of which are incorporated by referenceinto this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not federally sponsored.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the general field of medical equipment, andmore specifically toward a cap that can be used to “block” variousrespiratory products used in multiple areas of hospital, long termfacilities and at home.

Statement of Problem Solved

There are many forms of cross contamination in the medical industry. Onecommon and a well-known contamination issue that all medical facilitiesshare is referred to as Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI). At times theabsence of the right tool or failing to foresee the consequence of atask performed by staff can contribute to HAI. To mitigate this ongoingissue, a change in procedural task is needed or a new tool that can beincorporated to aid the process by providing the proper environmentwhich can decrease the chance of cross contamination. Specifically, therespiratory setting in ICU, Transitional Units, rehabs and patients ownhome are the focus of this argument. This involves ventilator and cpapcircuits, resuscitation bag and mask, cool and heated aerosol tubing.These devices present surface areas (inner and outer diameter) that cancome in contact with patients directly or indirectly. It is duringtemporary separation of these devices from the patient and failing toprotect the surface areas mentioned when potential contact with bacteriaand growth can occur.

The product covered by this patent application, Unicap1™, is arespiratory equipment cap designed for providing the means to cover thevulnerable, exposed portions of patient medical equipment in thehospital or home-care setting comprising of a multipurpose hollowplastic or silicon cap block. The barrier cap which is intended toprotect the exposed surfaces areas is consist of a small end, middleportion and a large that are comprised of cavities for optional padinserts upon request where the pads additionally are comprised of anantibacterial compound selected from the group consisting of isopropylalcohol of different percentage strength (70 percent or greater), orchlorhexidine. The plastic or silicone cap block can also be providedwith silver ion coding prior to packaging. The exterior shapes ofhexagonal and elliptical (circular) grips will differentiate betweenwith or without antibacterial agent to provide clarity for users andprevent any confusion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Unicap1 creates a barrier and decreases cross contamination whenplaced on exposed surface areas of respiratory devices such asventilator and cpap circuits on standby (temporary not in use onpatient), aerosol tubing (cool or heated systems) while not in use,resuscitation bag and masks not in use, other devices such as Heat MoistExchangers (HME) and filters not in use, and various inline suctions andswivel connectors while not in use. The antibacterial agents and silvercoding methods are all supplemental features designed to aid the cap indecreasing cross contamination. They are identified with hexagonal gripexterior shape and elliptical grip (circular) exterior shape.

The cap that protects the exposed surfaces while not in use which areproblematic in collecting unwanted bacterial growth that a patient mayhave not already been exposed to. Other potentials of crosscontaminations are sealing or covering an existing infected surfaceareas earlier mentioned. This barrier also protects other patientsindirectly as well by preventing staff from brushing against suchsurfaces unknowingly and walking into other patient area to provide careand possibly transporting bacteria to other guests of the hospital. Theduality of this form of protection creates an isolation where transportof HAI is decreased thus decreasing cross contamination, mortality ratesand increased stay of guests in hospital driving up the cost of medicalexpense. This unwanted outcome is detrimental to patients and hospitalrating with respect to level of care and unintended consequences namelyHAI and mortality rate.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a barrier anddecrease HAI from respiratory equipment while not in use on patients whotrust their healthcare community for professional and high level ofmedical care. This decreases the length of stay in hospitals thusdecreasing the costs.

It is another object of the invention to provide a better level of carein the respiratory settings by the hospital staff where a conscientiouseffort to perform tasks more efficient and orderly without creatinganother problem. This can decrease the rate of mortality thus decreasingcosts.

A further object of the invention is to provide education/awareness tothe staff by bringing forth how every staff member is responsible fortheir actions and continue to be part of the problem or choose to becomepart of a solution. The use of the cap with proper universal hygienebefore and after contact with patients is an absolute necessity. Thisprovides a proactive and a conscientious approach by staff members withregards to task they perform on daily bases.

An additional object of the invention calls for studies to be done (bothinternally and independently with the cooperation of the facilities) toobserve the change or effectiveness of the Unicap1 invention VS. crosscontamination. As more staff use the product as intended it is morelikely other ideas and suggestions can be born to improve upon the ideaand decrease HAI even more so thus improving the level of care acrossthe board. This provides a proactive and a conscientious approach bystaff members with regards to task they perform on daily bases.

Another object of the invention is to provide new designs based onfeedback of users and independent studies on the cap that can performthe similar tasks more effectively and possibly apply the same conceptin another areas both respiratory and non-respiratory areas.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed hereinand other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention willbecome better understood with reference to the following description andappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form part ofthis specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and togetherwith the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective, front view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, front view of another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention in use.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the invention in use with anotherpiece of respiratory apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a yet another perspective view of the invention being used toseal off another part of respiratory apparatus devices.

FIG. 6 is a perspective, back view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the invention being used on itslarge end to seal off a respiratory device.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the invention being used on itssmall end to seal off a respiratory device.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing the various diameters in apreferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with thereferences made to the drawings below. The components in the drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed uponclearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover,like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through theseveral views in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective, front view of one embodiment of the invention.Unicap1 has an overall shape of a cone divided into 3 portions—a largeend 1, a small end 2, and a middle portion 3—and comes in 2 versions, acircular and hexagonal. There are 2 fittings components to the cap. Theyfit internally to an object, and or fit externally. The largest side ofthe block is the base and is called the Large End 1, which has a largecylinder with a small inner tube that is blocked. This large side servesas external component by the covering over an object. The Middle Portion3 of the block (side B) has a tapered shape out cylinder much like acone and has middle small flange that leads to middle large flange. Thismiddle portion serves as an internal component inserting into an object.The top of the block called the Small End 2 has a small tube thatprotrudes out of a cylinder and is blocked. This small side serves asboth an internal and external component. From the middle portion 2,there is a small flange 7, inside of which is a small tube 5, and thereis a large flange 8, inside of which is a large tube 5. The diameter ofthe large flange 8 is greater than that of the small flange 7, such thatis “tapers off”, allowing for an additional “plug”. In between the largeflange 8 and large tube 5 is a large cavity 9; in between the smallflange 7 and the small tube 4 is a small cavity 10. The middle portion 2is a solid piece of material extending from the outer surfaces of theintersection of the small flange and large flange all the way throughthe device, creating a block 6 that “blocks off” the various suctiontubes and other devices the invention is used to plug when not in use.Into either or both of the large cavity 9 and small cavity 10, a pad(not shown in these figures) can be inserted. The pad can be soaked insome sort of antibacterial substance prior to being inserted, toincrease the sterility of the device.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of unicap1 with (hexagonal grip) with largeend (similar internal dimensions or fitting with elliptical large side)being previewed. The cap is blocked and does not allow fluid or gases totravel through. The cavity presented is designed to have an inserted padtreated with antibacterial agent prior to packaging and to receive bycovering respiratory devices mentioned earlier. This cap externallycovers 15 mm adaptors, various brands of inline suction such as“Ballard” and “Halyard”, various brands of HME and other inline filtersusing standard 15 mm fittings, the Y section of ventilator circuit andend of most cpap circuits (corrugated or flexible tubing using standard15 mm fittings). Other respiratory devices such as different parts ofnebulizers depending on manufacturer may also be applicable providingthe use of standard 15 mm fittings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, front view of another embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 2 is a view of an isometric angle of unicap1 with theexterior of the large flange 8 having an outer grip 11. The outer gripin this figure is a texture that has been molded into the outer surfaceof the large flange, but it is contemplated that textured grips could beapplied to accomplish the same goal—namely, to facilitate a usergripping the device and forcing one or more tubes against the block 6.The cap is blocked and does not allow fluid or gases to travel through.The cavity presented is designed to have an inserted pad treated withantibacterial agent prior to packaging and to receive by coveringrespiratory devices mentioned earlier. This cap externally covers 15 mmadaptors, various brands of inline suction such as “Ballard” and“Halyard”, various brands of HME and other inline filters using standard15 mm fittings, the Y section of ventilator circuit and end of most cpapcircuits (corrugated or flexible tubing using standard 15 mm fittings).Other respiratory devices such as different parts of nebulizersdepending on manufacturer may also be applicable providing the use ofstandard 15 mm fittings.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention in use. This is anotherisometric view or angle of the elliptical cap demonstrating fitting ofthe small end 2 (similar dimension to hexagonal small end) of the capinto a respiratory object with a 15 mm dimensions. In a case of anobject having an extended or long connectivity, the small end of the capnot only inserts into the object but also uses its cavity cover over theobject as well. This give the small end the ability to be inserted intoan object or cover over an object. Again this cavity can also have a padinserted which is treated with antibacterial agent prior to packaging.The small end is blocked and does not allow fluid or gases to travelthrough thus creating a barrier. This cap internally and or externallycan attach to 15 mm adaptors, insert into various brands of inlinesuction such as “Ballard” and “Halyard”, insert into various brands ofHME and other inline filters using standard 15 mm fittings, insert intothe Y section of ventilator circuit and end of most cpap circuits(corrugated or flexible tubing using standard 15 mm fittings). Otherrespiratory devices such as different parts of nebulizers depending onmanufacturer may also be applicable providing the use of standard 15 mmfittings.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the invention in use with anotherpiece of respiratory apparatus. FIG. 4 is another isometric view orangle of the elliptical cap demonstrating fitting of the large end 1(similar dimension or fitting of large end hexagonal) of the capcovering a respiratory resuscitation bag with a standard 15 mm dimensionfitting. This give the large end ability to cover over an object. Againthe cavity on the large end also has the ability to have an inserted padtreated with antibacterial agent prior to packaging. The large end isblocked and does not allow fluid or gases to travel through thuscreating a barrier. This cap externally can attach to 15 mm adaptors,insert into various brands of inline suction such as “Ballard” and“Halyard”, insert into various brands of HME and other inline filtersusing standard 15 mm fittings, insert into the Y section of ventilatorcircuit and end of some cpap circuits (corrugated or flexible tubingusing standard 15 mm fittings). Other respiratory devices such asdifferent parts of nebulizers depending on manufacturer may also beapplicable providing the use of standard 15 mm fittings are followed.

FIG. 5 is a yet another perspective view of the invention being used toseal off another part of respiratory apparatus devices. FIG. 5 is a sideview of both hexagonal and elliptical cap connected to a respiratoryobject with the same 15 mm fitting. This demonstrates a similar fittingto an inline suction unit which either can have a cap inserted inside orcover the external part of an inline suction. It will be at thediscretion of the user to decide which best suits their need whileproviding protection to the surface. This is a demonstration of bothlarge end 1 and small end 2 of the caps (regardless hexagonal orelliptical) will fit the respiratory object providing the standard 15 mmrespiratory design is observed by the manufactures.

FIG. 6 is a perspective, back view of one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a hexagonal cap with small end 2 forpreview. The small end is blocked and does not allow fluid or gases totravel through. The small flange 7 encircles the small tube 4, creatingthe small cavity in between the two. The cavity presented is designed tohave an inserted pad treated with antibacterial agent prior topackaging. The cap can be inserted into a respiratory object and is ableto receive or covering respiratory devices mentioned earlier. This capcan both internally and or externally fit 15 mm adaptors, various brandsof inline suction such as “Ballard” and “Halyard”, various brands of HMEand other inline filters using standard 15 mm fittings, the Y section ofventilator circuit and end of most cpap circuits (corrugated or flexibletubing using standard 15 mm fittings). Other respiratory devices such asdifferent parts of nebulizers depending on manufacturer may also beapplicable providing the use of standard 15 mm fittings.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the invention being used on itslarge end 1 to seal off a respiratory device. FIG. 7 is a cross sectionof the Unicap1 (either elliptical or hexagonal). The overall length andinternal shape/design of the both caps remain the same. The illustrationdemonstrates the large cavity 9 in the large end and the fitting of thelarge end of the cap covering a respiratory object. This can be with orwithout silver ion coating. The illustration demonstrate not a throughpath for fluid or gas to travel through.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the invention being used on itssmall end 2 to seal off a respiratory device. FIG. 8 is a cross sectionof the Unicap1 (either elliptical or hexagonal). The overall length andinternal shape/design of the both caps remain the same. The illustrationdemonstrates the cavity in the small end 2 and the fitting of the smallend of the cap inserted into a respiratory object which also covers theexterior of the respiratory object. This is also a demonstration ofsmall side's internal and external fitting ability. This can be with orwithout silver ion coating. The illustration demonstrate not a throughpath for fluid or gas to travel through.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing the various diameters in apreferred embodiment of the invention with dimension lines. This viewshows the internal components of the various sections. At the small end2 of the invention, a small tube 4 is encircled by a small flange 7,creating a small cavity 10 between the inner surface of the small flange7 and the outer surface of the small tube 4. In the middle portion 3, ablock 6 extends from one side of the cap to the other. Coming off theblock 6, the small flange 7 extends toward the small end 2 and the largeflange 8 extends toward the large end 1. At the large end 1 of theinvention, a large tube 5 is encircled by a large flange 8, creating alarge cavity 9 between the inner surface of the large flange 8 and theouter surface of the large tube 5. This view shows how the cap can beused to “plug” tubes of several different diameters.

It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of theinvention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure ismade by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto arepossible without departing from the subject matter coming within thescope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof,which claims I regard as my invention.

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

REFERENCE NUMBERS USED

-   -   1. Large end, generally    -   2. Small end, generally    -   3. Middle portion, generally    -   4. Small tube    -   5. Large tube    -   6. Block    -   7. Small flange    -   8. Large flange    -   9. Large cavity    -   10. Small cavity    -   11. Outer grip

What I claim is:
 1. A respiratory equipment cap, consisting of a smallend, a middle portion and a large end, where the small end additionallycomprises a small tube, where the small tube has a small tube innerdiameter and a small tube outer diameter, and where the small tube outerdiameter is 14.9 mm, where the small tube inner diameter is 11.5 mm,where the small tube has an open end and a closed end, where the largeend additionally comprises a large tube, where the large tube has alarge tube inner diameter and a large tube outer diameter, and where thelarge tube outer diameter is 14.9 mm and the large tube inner diameteris 9.1 mm, where the large tube has an open end and a closed end, wherethe middle portion additionally comprises a block, a small flange and alarge flange, where the block extends across an entire circumference ofthe cap, and where the block has an outer circumference, and where theouter circumference of the block additionally comprises the small flangeand the large flange, where the small flange has a small flange innerdiameter and a small flange outer diameter, and where the small flangeinner diameter is 20 mm and where the small flange outer diameter is22.3 mm, where the large flange has a large flange inner diameter and alarge flange outer diameter, and where the large flange inner diameteris 22.2 mm and where the large flange outer diameter is 25.5 mm, andwhere a small cavity is created between the outer diameter of the smalltube and the inner diameter of the small flange, and where a largecavity is created between the outer diameter of the large tube and theinner diameter of the large flange, and additionally comprising a pad,where the pad additionally comprises an antibacterial compound selectedfrom the group consisting of silver ion, isopropyl alcohol, andchlorhexidine.
 2. A respiratory equipment cap, comprising a small end, amiddle portion and a large end where the small end additionallycomprises a small tube, where the small tube has a small tube innerdiameter and a small tube outer diameter, where the small tube has anopen end and a closed end, where the large end additionally comprises alarge tube, where the large tube has an open end and a closed end, wherethe large tube has a large tube inner diameter and a large tube outerdiameter, where the middle portion additionally comprises a block, asmall flange and a large flange, where the block extends across anentire circumference of the cap, and where the block has an outercircumference, and where the outer circumference of the blockadditionally comprises the small flange and the large flange, where thesmall flange has a small flange inner diameter and a small flange outerdiameter, where the large flange has a large flange inner diameter and alarge flange outer diameter, and where a small cavity is created betweenthe outer diameter of the small tube and the inner diameter of the smallflange, and where a large cavity is created between the outer diameterof the large tube and the inner diameter of the large flange,
 3. The capof claim 2, where the exterior shape is hexagonal.
 4. The cap of claim2, where the exterior shape is elliptical.
 5. The cap of claim 2, wherethe large flange has an exterior shape, and the exterior shape iscircular.
 6. The cap of claim 5, where the exterior shape additionallycomprises an outer grip.
 7. The cap of claim 6, where the cap issingle-use.
 8. The cap of claim 5, where the small tube outer diameteris less than 15 mm.
 9. The cap of claim 8, where the small tube innerdiameter is less than 12 mm.
 10. The cap of claim 5, where the largetube outer diameter is less than 15 mm.
 11. The cap of claim 10, wherethe large tube inner diameter is greater than 9 mm.
 12. The cap of claim5, where the small flange inner diameter is greater than 19 mm.
 13. Thecap of claim 12, where the small flange outer diameter is greater than22 mm.
 14. The cap of claim 5, where the large flange inner diameter isgreater than 22 mm.
 15. The cap of claim 14, where the large flangeouter diameter is greater than 25 mm.
 16. The cap of claim 5, where andwhere the small flange inner diameter is 20 mm and where the smallflange outer diameter is 22.3 mm, and where the large flange innerdiameter is 22.2 mm and where the large flange outer diameter is 25.5mm, and where the small tube outer diameter is 14.9 mm, where the smalltube inner diameter is 11.5 mm, and where the large tube outer diameteris 14.9 mm and the large tube inner diameter is 9.1 mm, and additionallycomprising a pad, where the pad additionally comprises an antibacterialcompound selected from the group consisting of silver ion, isopropylalcohol, and chlorhexidine.
 17. The cap of claim 5, additionallycomprising an antibacterial pad.
 18. The cap of claim 17, where the padadditionally comprises an antibacterial compound selected from the groupconsisting of silver ion, isopropyl alcohol, and chlorhexidine.
 19. Thecap of claim 17, additionally comprising an anti-bacterial treatment,where the antibacterial treatment is applied to the cap prior to the capbeing sealed in a contamination-proof container.
 20. The cap of claim 5,where the cap is single-use.